Work-handling mechanism for bolt machines



1, 1 ,077 March 1,1927. J' A KINNEY 6 9 WORK HANDLING MEGHAHISM FOR BOLTMACHINES Filed D80. 2 9. 1921 4 SheevLS-Sheel*l 1 M rch 1 19 7. y

a 2 J. A. KINNEY WORK HANDLING MECHANiISM FOR BOLT MACHINES Filed Dec;29. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 1, 192'1. 1,619,077v

J. A. KINNEY woRK HANDLING 'MBGHANISN Fon BOLT MACHINES ,l

Filed Dec. 29, 1921 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented Mar. 1, 1927.

PATENT OFFICE.

UITED STATES JAMES A. KINNEY, OF LEBANON, PENNSYLVANIA., ASSIGNOR TOBETHLEI-IEM STEEL COMPANY, OF BETI-ILEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATIONOF PENNSYLVANIA.

' WORK-HANDLING MECHANIS-M FOR BOLT MACHINES.

Application 1ed December 29, 1921. Serial No. 525,646.

This invention relates to automatic mechanism for handling the work in ametal turning machine, and is particularly adapt ed for use with thatclass of machines which thread or point bolts. Y

VThe objects of the invention are to provide an improved carriermechanism for transferring blanks from a delivery chute or other sourceof supply to the gripping devices which grip and hold `the blanlrs whilethe same are being machined; to arrange such carrier so as to avoid thecollection of dirt or foreign matter within its moving parts; to providefacilities for adjustment of the gripper ljaws; and to provide means forsegregating the pieces after they are machined from the scrap cuttherefrom.

ther novel features of construction an advantages will hereinafterclearly appear in the detailed description of this invention taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an automatic bolt threading machine, having theimproved features applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine as shown in FigureV 1, partsappearing in section;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, showing theposition of the 'ma- 'chine when a bolt to be machined is gripped; Fig.d is a view similar to Figure 3, showing the position of the machinewhen the gripper is in its open position and the ej ectorvchnte placedto receive a falling bolt; Fie. 5 is a vertical cross sectionon line emoin Figure 2;

Fig. 6 is detailed sectional view illustrating the adjusting means forthe movable gripper jaw.

The machine consists of a frame 10 mounted on legs 11. Gn the frame,mounted in hearings, is a driving shaft 12 driven by a pulley Keyed torotate with the driving shaft 12 is a' spiral gea;1 le Vmeshing with acorresponding gear 15 leye'd to the sleeve 16 disposed ahove and atright angles to the aid driving shaft. Integral with or rigidly securedto, the sleeve 16 is a worm 17 which meshes with worm wheel 18, thelatter belinedly mounted on a cam shaft 19. Aligned with the sleeve 16,Aand. slidingly mountedl therein, lis theY end of a spindle 20. rlhisspindle is ymounted in bearings attached to tie frame 10, and hasfastened to .its end opposite the sleeve a cutting die head 21 or othersuitable tool.

The spindle 2O and die head 21 which forms the thread on the bolt blankare operated through a mechanism, not shown, actuated by a cam on theshaft 19 but as such mechanism forms no part of the presentinvention,vit is considered unnecessary to describethe same in detail, but only toshow the relation between'the cutting die and the feeding and grippingmechanism.

Referring to VFigures 1 and 2, mounted to rotate with the shaft 19 is acam 22, which operates a center board 23 of 4the hopper v24 through thebell crank lever 25. To one arm of the latter is rotatively attached aroller 26 which is in contact with the face of the cam 22, the end ofthe other arm of lever being connected to an arm 27 by a connecting rodor spring link hereinafter described. The arm 27 extends at right anglesto and is integral with a boss 29 rotatively mounted on'the shaft 30which is mounted in a suitable bearing attached to the hopper 24. Alsointegral with said bossv 29 and extending at right angles thereto, is anarm 31 to which is rigidly attached the center board 23, whichk engagesin a slot formed in the bottom of the hopper bowl.

The connecting rodl or link between the lever 25and arm 27 consists of acylinder 32 (see Fig. 2) open at one end and pivot ally connected at itssolid end to the arm of the lever 25, the open end being Closed by ascrew plug 33. Extending centrally through the latter and to the bottomof the cylinder 82 is a rod 34 of smaller diameter than the bore of thecylinder through almost its entire length, but is increased in diameterat its end within said cylinder to slidingly fit the latter and alsoform a shoulder 35. At its end outside the cylinder the rod Se isthreaded and adjustably attached to the end piece 36, ywhich ispivotally connected to the arm 27. Surrounding the rod 34 is a Coilspring 37, the ends-of which bear against the plug 33 and the shoulder35, respectively. The spring 37 is so designed that the pressure againstthe shoulder 35 keeps the rod 34 in contact with the bottom ofthe boreof the cylinder 32, during the lift of the center board through the pileof blanks in the hopper 24e, but in the event of excessive obstructioncaused bya deformed blankpr foreign matter between respectively.

the Working surfaces, the cra-nk arm cOntinues its throw and compressessaid spring between the shoulder and the plug 33, thereby lengtheningthe Connecting rod 28 and eliminating breakage that Would followY if thelatter' was of rigid structure.

rlhe top of the center board 23 is slotted, as at 38, to receive theshanks of the bolt blanks which are lifted by their `heads when the saidcenter board pivots from the shaft 8O swinging with a fan-like motionuntil the top face is liush With the chute 39, which has a slotthroughout its length to correspend with the slot 38 in the center boardto allow the blanks to slide down to a separator Ll0, the purpose of thelatter being to feed the blanks separately to a carrier, hereinafterdescribed. The aforesaid chute and separator are Well known to thoseversed in the art and are not claimed as new, so a detailed descriptionof these features is considered unnecessary.

'Fixed to the cam shaft 19 is a cam all which operates a crank ai). torotate the carrier sha Also keyed to the shaft 43 is a laterally:'tendng arm 42a carrying a depending Weight all from its outermost end,this Weight being disposed to keep the roller of the cra-nk l2 inContact with the cam path on the cam Lll. rl`he shaft i3 is mounted onthe frame l0 in suitable bearings and extends longitudinally of saidframe beneath a reciprocating blank carrier, hereinafter described, thiscarrier being operated by an arm 45 keyed to said shaft, and extendingupwardly therefrom.

The carrier includes a slide 46, slidably mounted in a dovetail groovel? formed in the face of bracket 48, this bracket being rigidlyconnected to the frame l0 in a position transverse to the longitudinalaxis of the shaft 43 and spindle 20. rlhc slide f6 is given areciprocating motion by means of the arm the upper bifurcated end ofwhich engages a block j'iivotally mounted on the slide. Journalledlongitudinally in said slide 46 is a: shaft 49, the ends of whichproject past the end faces of the slide to receive aY cani lever or arm50 and a bolt carrier 5l,

The bolt carrier 5l is keyed to that end of the shaft il@ projectingtowards the center line of the frame l() and the cam lever 50 is keyedto thefother end. Immediately above the shaft 49 is an invexedi camgroove 52 ferm d on the underside of an overhanging extensiony 53 integral With the bracket 46. The groove 52 eng .ges a roller nounted onthe end of the lever 56 and is arranged so that when the slide 46 isjcaused to move along the face of the bracket -l-S actuated by the arm45, the shaft L19 is oscillated or rotated through a .predeterminedangle. On its upper face the bolt carrier 5l isv shaped to form a cradleL51@ which is adapted to receive the, bolt blank' in an inclinedposition from the chute 39.

lllhen the slide 46 is caused to move t0- Wals the center of themachine, the bolt carrier and cradle being attached to the shaft 49,swing through a certain angle operating in unison with the lever 50following the cam groove 52, and in this manner a bolt which wasreceived at an angle corresponding to that of the chute 39 is moved to ahorizontal position and aligned parallel with the axis of the spindle 26and in a position Within the swing of the movable gripper jaiv dlaterdescribed. The moveinents of the parts are, of course, so timed that asthe blanks are delivered by the separator 51.0they Will be received bycradle 5la of the carrier and delivered in position to be gripped by themovable jaw 54 as said jaiv is operated.

lt should be sta-ted that the cain groove 52 is so formed'that forcertain short periods of travel of the slide 46 rotary motion is notimparted to the shaft 49; the first period is to all iv the bolt carrierto clear the chute before beginning the angular movement; the secondpart is after the bolt is in its hori zontal position and is Abeingplaced Within the swing of the movable gripper jaw 5st. An apron 46@integral with the slide and vf'- 1 e A Jitending therefrom abuts tne endoi the chute and is of such Width as to close the exit from said chute39 during the passage of the bolt carrier across the machine. The planeof the upper face of said apron coincides with that of the bolt carrierwhen the latter is in its position before the chute. The overhangingprojection 53 on the frame serves to protect the pai-ts beneath fromdust and other foreign matter which contributes to the ellicieney of themachine.

Also keyed to cani shaft l5) is cani 55 to operate the gripper shaft 56through the medium of a crank lever 5T keyed to the end of the grippershaft. Relatively mounted on a pin projecting fromthe lever 5'? vis aroller in Contact with the annular rim of the cam This contact is causedby the overhanging Weight of the gripper parts later described` whichweight may be supple nienled by an overhanging independent Weight Thegripper shaft 56 (not shown). rotate3 or osclllates in suitablebearings. either end attached to the frame l0, and has near its endoppsite the lever 57 an arm 58 (see Eig. S) e lending at right anglesthere-- to. This arm o8 is bifureat-d and hf otatively mounted at itsextended end and Within the fork, a trunnion block 59, which slidablyengages a thrust rod 60, the latter extending downwardly through theblock 59 to receive.a coil spring 6l Which is inte`r posed betweeny theblock 59 and an adjustable collark 62 threaded to the lower end of saidthrust rodv 60. An eye is formed at the E) ll lLeitner? upper end of therod '60 which is pivotally connected to th-e center of a toggle joint63. One of the links of said Vjoint is connected to the frame 10, the'other being connected to an extension of the movable gripper jaw 54.

' The gripping means consists of a stationary upper jaw 64 att-ached tothe bracket 65 so as to be vertically adjustable and the swinging lowerjaw 54 which is pivotally mounted on the bracket 65. The pivot aboutwhich the movable gripper jaw 54 swings consists of a bolt 66 having aneccentric head 66fL which serves as a bearing for the jaw 54, the shankof the bolt resting in a bearing integral with bracket 65. The end ofthe shank extends from the face of the bearing to receive a keyed collar6T, and a further extension is threaded Vto receive a clamping meanssuch as nuts 67 and washer. 1f it is required to adjust the gripper jaw54 due to the wearing of the gripping surface or for any other reason,the nuts are loosened and a. suitable tool is insertedvin the holesprovided in the collar 67. The latter may then be rotated in eitherdirection rotating the bolt 66, thus changing the center axis of thehead relative vto the center axis of the bolt blank when the latter isresting against the upper jaw 64. An annular V-shaped projection 671 onthe collar67 and ak correspending groove in the bracket 65 Vare formedas a friction device to prevent further movement of the bolt aftersetting, and during the operation of the machine.:- Also keyed to thegripper shaft 56 is a forked lever 68, to the end of which is swivellyatt-ached a connecting rod 69, which in turn is joined by a swivelconnection at its other end to a forked lever 70y keyed to andprojecting perpendicular from a'transverse shaft 71 mounted in bearingsattached to the framework of theV legs 1.1,pthe said swivel connectionsbeing of a form commonly known as a universal joint. Keyed to shaft 71is an armv 72 which carries an ejector chute orreceptacle 73 locatedunder the grip-r pers 54, 64 and having a radius of operation within thepath of a falling bolt released by said grippers.

It should be understood the vvarious levers are arranged so that when aboltblank is gripped by the jaws 54 and 64 of the grip-l ping mechanism,the cam 55 pressing over th-e lever 57 causes the block 5.9 to pressdown on the spring 61, which in turn presses .down on the collar 52attached to the lower endv of the rod 62, thus spreading the toggle 63,This spreading imparts pressure to the 54 to firmly grip the bolt blank.rlhe block 59 vcontinues to travel after the bolt blank is grippedcompressing the spring 61, thus exerting substantially uniform yieldingpressur-e on the toggle joint '68. The arm 7 2 is positioned on theshaft 71 yrelative to the lever 70 so that when the bolt blank isgripped the ejector chute attached to said arm is swung forward frombeneath the bolt so that the scrap cut from the latter vfalls through anopening in the frame 10 to a pan (not shown). When the gripper jaw 54 isswung in its open position the ejector chute is swung into the path ofradropping bolt, catches it` and on its return to its forward positionejects the bolt into a lreceiving box (not shown).

It will be noted that all the gears are rotated by alcommon shaft togive proper timing and uniformity of action. The gripper mechanism andthe ejector chute are operated by the same cam which insures positiveaction between the associated movement of these parts and the blankcarrier 51 is operated in proper timed relation with the y movablegripper jaw 54 so that such jaw grips a blank delivered by the carrierand holds the same while it-is operated upon by the tool 21, thecarrierin the meantime returning to its position adjacent-the chute 39 toreceive another blank.

In using the device tLe operator throws bolt'blanks promiscuously intothe bowl of the hopper 24, and then starts the machine to drive thesleeve 16 and spindle 20- and thereby rotating the cam shafty 19together with the various cams mounted thereon. The center vboa-rd 23passes through the pile yof blanks lifting several of the latter by theheads, the shanks falling in the slot providediin the topl thereof. Whenthe top face of the center board is flush with the top face of the chute39, the slot in the former coincides with the slot inthe latter, andowing to the incline the bolt blanks gravitate towards the lower end ofsaid chute to the separator 40, operated by a cam 74, keyed to shaft 43ror in ran other suitable manner. rThis separator fee s the blanks oneat a time to thelextreme end of the chute to be received by the cradle'51 of the carrier 51. The Vlatter carries the blank'across the machineand tiltsit to a horizontal position, the blank being lifted out of thecradle by the lowergripper 54 and clamped against the upper jaw 64. Therspindle 2O advances Vthe tool or cutting die 21, which reti-acts afterY' threading the bolt, the gripper jawr opens ejecting the bolt which iscaught by the ejector 73. In the meanwhile the bolt carrier has movedover to bring' a vsecond blankinto position to be gripped by the jawsand during theVA closing of the latte-r the ejector swingsforwardandejects the bolt previously machined. f

Various modifications obviously may be 1 mad-e inthe details of theforegoing construction without departing from the spirit of theinvention as embodied in the appended claims.Y l y j Y Ha-ving thusdescribed the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be securedby Letters Patent is:

l. In a. machine of the kind described, in combination, means forgripping a` blank and holding the same in fixed position comprising astationary upper jaw and a movable lower jaw, a chute for deliveringblanks, a carrier adapted to receive blanks from said chute and movableto a position beneath the stationary jaw when the movable jaw isretracted to bring a blank in opposed relation with respect to the upperaw to be gripped by said jaws, means for moving said carrier back andforth between said chute and said gripping means, and Vmeans foroperating said movable jaw in timed relation with said carrier.

2. In a machine of the kind described, the combination of means forgripping blank, a chute angularly disposed and laterally oidset withrespect to the gripping means, a slide movable transversely of thegripping means and of the chute, and a blank carrier on the slide andmovable angularly with respect to the slide through an angular distanceless than 90O between the vplane of a bolt at the delivery end of thechute and the plane of a bolt in the gripping means, wher-eby thecarrier may be brought into proper relation with respect to the chute toreceive a blank from the latter and in proper relation with respect tothe gripping means to deliver a blank to the latter.

3, In a machine of the kind described, the combination of means forgripping a blank comprising vertically opposed and relatively movablejaws, a chute angularly disposed and laterally offset with respect tothe gripping means, a slide movable transversely of the gripping meansand of the chute, and a blank carrier on the slide and angularly movablewith respect to the slide, whereby the carrier may be brought intoproper relation with respect to the chute to receive a blank from thelatter and in a position beneath the stationary jaw when the movable jawis retracted for gripping by the aws.

4f. In ya machine of the kind described, in combination, means forgripping a. blank and holding the same in fixed position,l a chute forsupplying blanks and inclined with respect to the gripping means, aslide, acarrier mounted onV said slide` and movable therewith, means foroscillating the carrier, said carrier being adapted to receive blanksfrom said chute and deliver the same direct to said grippingmechanismjand means for reciprocating said slide.

5. ln a machine of the kind described, in combination, means forgripping a blank and holding the same in fixed position comprising astationary jaw and a movable j aw, a chute for supplying blanks andinclined with respect to the gripping means, a slide, a carrier mountedon said slide and movable therewith, means for oscillating the carrier,said carrier being adapted to receive blanks from said chute andtransfer the same to a position to be gripped by said jaws, and meansfor operating said slide and said movable jaw in timed relation.

6. ln a machine ofthe kind'described, in combination, means for grippinga blank and holding the same in fixed position, an inclined chute fordelivering blanks, said chute being laterally displaced from thegripping means and angularly disposed with respect thereto, a carrierfor receiving blanks from saidv chute and delivering the same direct tosaid gripping mechanism, means for moving said carrier back and forthbetween said chute and gripping mechanism andmeans for moving saidcarrier into an inclined position when adjacent said chute and intoY ahorizontal position when adjacent said gripping mechamsm.

.7. ln a machine of the kind described, in combination, means forgripping a blank and holding the same in iixed position, an inclinedchute for delivering blanks, a carrier for receiving blanks from saidchute and delivering the same direct to said grip-Y ping mechanism,means for moving said carrier back and forth between said chute andgripping mechanism, a fixed cam, Iand means connected with said carrierand engaging said cam for moving said carrier into an inclined positionwhen adjacent said chute and into aI horizontal position when adjacentsaid gripping mechanism.

8. ln a machine of the kind described, in combination, means forgripping and holding a blank in liked position, an inclined chute forsupplying blanks, a` slide, an oscillating member mounted thereon, acarrier connected to said member, an arm also connected to said member,means for reciprocating said slide whereby said carrier is caused tomove back and forth between said chute and gripping mechanism, a fixedcam for engaging said arm and 'oscillating said member, whereby saidcarrier is caused to occupy an inclined position when adjacent saidchute and horizontal posit-ion when adjacent said gripping mechanism. Y

9. In a machine of the kind described, in

combination, means for gripping and lrOldl inga blank in lined position,a tool Vfor operatlng on the blank so held, a chute for Vsupplying`blanks Yanddisposed at an angle to the gripping means, areciprocatingcan rier adapted to receive blanks'in one position fromsaid chute and deliver the samel in another position direct to saidgripping means, means for reciprocating said carrier. and means forchanging the angular posi; tion of thegcarrier as it moves'back andforth between said chute and 'gripping means `to bringsaid carrier .intokproper yrelation with respect to the chute and to the gripping means.

10. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, means forgripping and holding a blank in fixed position, a ,chute for supplyingblanks, a slide, means for reciprocating said slide, an oscillatingmember mounted on said slide, a blank carrier secured to said member,said carrier being movable back and forth from said chute to saidgripping means as said slide is reciprocated, a projection on the frameof the machine overlying said slide, and having a cam groove on itsunder surface, an arm secured to said Ioscillating member and engagingsaid groove, said cam groove being so shaped as to cause said carrier toreceive a blank in one position from said chute and move the blank to adifferent position when it is delivered to said gripping means.

11. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, a frame, a slidemounted thereon, a projection on said frame overlying said slide andhaving a cam surface on its under side, an 'oscillating member mountedon said slide, a blank carrier secured to said member, an arm secured tosaid member and eX- tending upwardly and engaging said cam surface, achute for supplying' blanks, gripping means for holding the blanks infixed position while being machined, means for reciprocating said slidewhereby said carrier is caused to move back and forth between said chuteand gripping means, said cam surface being shaped to cause said carrierto receive the blanks in an inclined position from said chute and movethe same into a horizontal position when delivered to said grippingmeans.`

12. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, means forgripping and holding a blank while the same is machined, said meanscomprising a stationary upper jaw and a movable lower jaw pivoted toswing upwardly toward the upper jaw, a cradle for delivering blanksbeneath the upper jaw and within the range of movement of the lowerjaw,- a device fo-r supplying blanks one ata time to said cradle, meansfor reciprocating said cradle between said device and said jaws, andmeans for operating said movable jaw in timed relation with themovements of said cradle.

13. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, means forgripping and holding` a blank while the same is machined comprising astationary upper jaw and a pivoted lower jaw, means for changing theposition of the pivot of the lower jaw whereby its relation to the upperjaw may be varied, means for moving said jaw and means for positioningblanks within the range of movement of said lower jaw.

14. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, means forgripping and holdingV a blank comprising an upper stationary jaw andalower movable jaw pivoted to the frame Aof the machine, an eccentricpivot pin upon which said lower jaw' is mounted, said pin beinglrotai'zable in its bearings to change Y the position of said movablejaw relative to the upper jaw, and means for operating said movable jaw.

15. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, means forgripping and holding a blank in fixed position comprising an upperstationary jaw and a lower movable jaw pivoted to the frame of themachine, toggle mechanism for operating said movable jaw and yieldingmeans for operating said toggle mechanism, and means for changing theposition of the pivot of the lower jaw whereby its relation to the upperjaw may be varied.

16. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, means forgripping and holding a blank comprising a stationary jaw and a movablejaw, means for operating said movable jaw to grip and release a blank, atool for operating on the blank held by said jaws, an ejector chute,means operable in timed relation with respect to said jaw operatingmeans for moving said chute into a position to receive the finishedblank when the same is released from said jaws and for moving the sameinto a position to eject such finished blank when said movable jaw isoperated to grip the succeeding blank, the last named position of saidchute being such that material cut from the succeeding blank by saidtool will not be received in the chute.

17. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means forgripping and holding a blank comprising a stationary and a movable jaw,a tool for operating on the blank held between said jaws, a movableejector chute, driving means, means operated by the driving mea-ns foropening and closing said movable jaw, means operated by the drivingmeans for moving said ejector chute to a position beneath said jaws whensaid movable jaw is opened and for moving the saine away from saidposition when said movable jaw is closed.

18. in a machine of the class described, in combination, means forgripping and holding a blank comprising a stationary aw and a pivotedjaw, a tool for operating on the blank held by said jaws, a pivotedejector chute, driving means, means operated by the driving means foropening and closing said pivoted jaw, means operated by the drivingmeans for moving said ejector chute to a position beneath said jaws whensaid pivoted jaw is opened and for moving the same away from suchposition when said pivoted jaw is closed, and a common shaft foroperating said pivoted jaw and said ejector chute.

19. ln a machine of the class described, 1n combination, means forgripping a blank and holding the same in fixed position, a with saidslide and adapted to closethe'ext Chute for supplying blanks, arecprocatory from the chute When the carrier s moved slide, a carriermounted on the slide and toward said gripping means. l0 adapted toreceive blanks from said chute In testimony whereof I hereunto ax my anddeliver the same direct to said gripping signature.,

means, means for moving the carrier with Y respect to the slide, and anapron movable JAMES A. KINNEY. Y

